"What We Do in the Shadows": Applications of Binary Opposites + The 5 Narrative Codes

 AS MEDIA "What We Do in the Shadows": Applications of Binary Opposites + The 5 Narrative Codes

Binary Opposites identified:

• Calm vs. Chaos
• Supernatural vs. Mankind
• Day vs. Night
• Past vs. Present
• Modern vs. Ancient
• Humans vs. Vampires
• Predator vs. Prey
• Modern vampire vs. Traditional vampire
  
  

Barthes' 5 Narrative Codes identified:

• Hermeneutic codes (enigma, mystery) - Why do vampires strike in the nighttime? Do all vampires see humans as prey?
• Proairetic codes (action, plot points) - The vampires, mainly traditional vampires, adapting to present life/days (modern)
• Semantic codes (connotation, meaning) - The dark/secured shelter connotes that specific type of vampires cannot be exposed to the sunlight
• Symbolic codes - Vampires wearing dark clothes (cloaks/coats, vest) also to symbolize the 17/18th century and fangs to represent vampires
• Cultural codes (referential, prior knowledge, reference) - Fangs and consuming blood, as well as dark clothing illustrate vampires

Genre Conventions (vampire):

• Unnatural
• Fangs
• Blood (sucking)
• Horror/thriller

Credits: Rania's notes